Monthly Archives: July 2013

Gram Power: ‘smart microgrid’ produces, stores renewable energy on location

Posted on July 30, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Twenty-two-year-old Yashraj Khaitan finds it difficult to explain to his parents what exactly he is doing in a remote village in Rajasthan. One year ago, as a fresh graduate from the University of California, Berkeley, Khaitan turned down a job offer from Ericsson, … Continue reading →

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India faces short-term setback in renewable energy investment: Report

Posted on July 30, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Investments in renewable energy sector will be sluggish in the short term globally, including in India, says a report. Leading consultancy firm Deloitte, in its report, today said that global investments in renewable energy sector is set to continue to decline in the … Continue reading →

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Gujarat government announces new Wind Energy Purchase Rate at Rs. 4.15 per KWhr

Posted on July 30, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Gujarat government on Last Thursday approved the Wind Energy Policy to expedite and encourage development of wind power generation activities in the state, said a top minister. The 25-year policy will exempt the power producers from electricity duty and allow captive use, … Continue reading →

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Solar panel dispute: EU reaches deal with China

Posted on July 29, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

The deal to resolve the biggest trade dispute between China and the European Union will avoid punitive tariffs from August on Chinese solar imports into Europe that were worth 21 billion euros ($27 billion) last year. BRUSSELS: The European Commission said on … Continue reading →

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China imposes anti-dumping duties on US, South Korean polysilicon

Posted on July 24, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

U.S. and South Korean polysilicon manufacturers will face anti-dumping import tariffs in China of up to 57% beginning July 24. U.S. producers REC and Hemlock face the highest rates. China’s Ministry of Commerce is set to impose import duties of … Continue reading →

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Chinese module prices continue to rise

Posted on July 24, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Chinese panels are increasing in price due to the EU’s anti-dumping tariffs. As a result, high-quality modules from South Korean and Western suppliers are becoming more competitive, says IHS. The European Union’s anti-dumping tariffs are driving up prices for Chinese … Continue reading →

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REC turns profitable as PV module plant at full capacity

Posted on July 24, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

REC reported second quarter 2013 revenue of NOK 1,544 million (US$ 257.3 million), a 21% increase over the prior quarter. The company posted a positive EBITDA of NOK 152 million (US$25.3 million) in the quarter, marking a return to an … Continue reading →

Posted in Cells & Modules, PV, Renewables, Solar | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

India May Expand Solar Dumping Probe to EU, Japan Cells – All parties must submit written statements by July 25, and defendants have until Aug. 2 to respond

Posted on July 22, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Indian clean-energy companies that claim manufacturers in the U.S. and China dumped solar cells below cost on the market are seeking to extend their case to include imports from Europe and Japan. Indosolar Ltd. (ISLR), Jupiter Solar Power Ltd. and … Continue reading →

Posted in Anti Dumping Duty, Cells & Modules, PV, Renewables, Solar | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The current state of Tamil Nadu with possible answers to the current power crisis – My presentation on Understanding the implications of the ‘Tamil Nadu Solar Energy Policy’ to devise cost-effective and profitable strategies

Posted on July 22, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

TN Current State and Devising strategies to comply with SPO My presentation in Coimbatore covered the following points below amongst others Understanding the implications of the ‘Tamil Nadu Solar Energy Policy’ to devise cost-effective and profitable strategies to comply with … Continue reading →

Posted in DISCOM, Grid Connected, Renewables, Solar | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Privatise power distribution to tame losses: Montek Singh Ahluwalia

Posted on July 19, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Natgrp: Echoing the public sentiment as well as our continued focus on privatization of Discoms Pitching for privatisation in the power distribution sector, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia today suggested it can help in reducing huge losses and half of this business should be … Continue reading →

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REC July 2013 Amendment brings only minor changes, a major disappointment for Renewable Energy Developers

Posted on July 15, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms and Conditions for recognition and issuance of Renewable Energy Certificate for Renewable Energy Generation) (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2013. Click here for the notification Click here for the Statement of Reason Below the Gist of the … Continue reading →

Posted in CERC, Grid Connected, Hydro, Renewable Energy Certificates, Renewable Purchase Obligation, Renewables, Rooftop, Solar | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How it works: Solar power towers with integrated storage – the much needed evolution of CSP!

Posted on July 15, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

The 110MW Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Plant, located near the town of Tonopah in the Nevada desert, will be the largest solar tower plant with integrated energy storage facility built to date. But what exactly is it? What does storage … Continue reading →

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India Renewables – Good bye winter, hello spring – HSBC report states that Wind is now at grid parity and Solar will follow suit

Posted on July 15, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Wind energy is now cost competitive with new-build coal capacity in India, and solar is likely to follow suit sometime between 2016-18, according to a report by HSBC. The report on India Renewables, Good bye winter, hello spring, published on April … Continue reading →

Posted in Crystalline, Publications, PV, Renewables, Reports, Thin Film, Wind | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Thin film CdTe PV breakthrough may cut solar costs by one third to lower than 40 $ cents

Posted on July 15, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

A new Silicon Valley developer of thin film solar PV modules, backed by an Australian venture capitalist, has claimed an engineering breakthrough that could cut the manufacturing costs of PV modules by one third. RSI has broken cover after five … Continue reading →

Posted in Cells & Modules, PV, Renewables, Solar, Thin Film | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Subsidies hold rooftop solar projects – Lack of funds and no clarity hampering adoption

Posted on July 15, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

With the government aggressively promoting installation of rooftop solar systems, the key factor that is driving adoption – subsidies – are running dry, subsequently hampering installations. Several solar power companies say that subsidies promised by the government in the National Solar … Continue reading →

Posted in Residential, Rooftop, Rural Lighting, Solar | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

TN’s power utility rated worst among 4 southern states – And thats saying something. Raising debt for the 690 MW allocated will be a tough job for developers.

Posted on July 15, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Tamil Nadu has the worst performing power utility among the four southern states. The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Company (Tangedco) has been rated below average in both operations and financial performance among various power utilities in the country as … Continue reading →

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Call for Expression of Interest (EOI) for Empanelment of Organizations for Rural Area Energy Access Programme and Solar Based Rural Energy Access Work of MNRE, New Delhi.

Posted on July 14, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

F. No. 4/1/2013-Energy Access Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (Energy Access Division) 14, CGO Complex, Lodi Road, New Delhi-110003. Dated the 09th July, 2013. Call for Expression of Interest (EOI) for Empanelment of Private Companies/ Organisations/ Agencies, Government Companies, … Continue reading →

Posted in PV, Renewables, Residential, Rooftop, Rural Lighting, Solar | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Magsaysay awardee Harish Hande talks about myths broken and lessons learnt by doing business with India’s poor

Posted on July 14, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

In this video, Magsaysay awardee Harish Hande talks about myths broken and lessons learnt by doing business with India’s poor. The enterprise he co-founded, Selco India, has taken solar energy – clubbed with efficient services and custom financing models – … Continue reading →

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The Economic and Reliability Benefits of CSP with Thermal Energy Storage: Recent Studies and Research Needs

Posted on July 14, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Foreword As the penetration of wind and solar generation becomes a significant portion of grid power, utilities and government policy makers have begun to sponsor analyses to compare alternative renewable resource portfolios. This has resulted in calculations of net system costs … Continue reading →

Posted in CSP, Reports, Solar | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Concentrated solar thermal and photovoltaic solar technologies – TECHNOLOGICAL NICHES

Posted on July 14, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

“At Principal Solar Institute, we believe solar electricity will be cost-competitive without subsidies within three years. Since we are technology agnostic, this paper is not intended to stack one technology against another.  Rather, we provide an education on the strengths … Continue reading →

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Discom restructure kicked off with 8 States in April 2013, Rs 1.60 lakh cr in bad debt

Posted on July 13, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Under the Centre’s package, half of the losses would be taken up by the States, which would issue long-term bonds in phases. For the remaining losses, the distribution companies would get a three-year moratorium on principal payment. The financial re-structuring programme … Continue reading →

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Accumulated losses of state power utilities

Posted on July 13, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

HANDLING POWER Accumulated losses of state power utilities States SEB /Discom losses (Rs cr) States SEB /Discom losses (Rs cr) Accumulated 2010-11 Accumulated 2010-11 J&K NA 1,892 Kerala 6,865 1,934 Mizoram NA 115 Bihar 5,821 NA Manipur NA 56 West … Continue reading →

Posted in DISCOM, Transmission and Distribution | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Determination of Tariff for Generation and Distribution – TAMIL NADU ELECTRICITY REGULATORY COMMISSION

Posted on July 12, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

TAMIL NADU ELECTRICITY REGULATORY COMMISSION (Constituted under section 82 (1) of Electricity Act 2003) (Central Act 36 of 2003) PRESENT : Thiru. K.Venugopal – Member  and Thiru. S.Nagalsamy – Member T.P. No. 1 of 2013 Date of Order: 20-06-2013 In the matter … Continue reading →

Posted in DISCOM, Transmission and Distribution | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Solar power bidders accept Rs 6.49/unit offer from AP for a total of 418 MW

Posted on July 12, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

The State has received proposals to develop 418 MW at Rs 6.49 per unit price finalised by the Group of Ministers. Andhra Pradesh has received offers for setting up 418 MW of solar photo voltaic power generation capacity under the … Continue reading →

Posted in Grid Connected, Power Generation, PV, Renewables, Solar, Solar Policy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

AP allow more firms to set up solar plants at Rs. 6.49 provided they submit their applications in the next 4 weeks

Posted on July 12, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Andhra Pradesh Government has decided to permit any company to set up a solar photovoltaic unit in the State assuring them of Rs 6.49 paise per kWh. Interested solar power developers have been told that they can submit applications within … Continue reading →

Posted in Grid Connected, PV, Renewables, Solar, Solar Policy | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Amendment in the Bench mark cost of Solar Water Heating – MNRE

Posted on July 11, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

No. 5/23/2009-P&C भारत सरकार/ Government of India नवीन और नवीकरणीय ऊर्ाामंत्रालय /  Ministry of New & Renewable Energy *** To The Pay & Accounts Officer Block No.14, C.G.O. Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003, dated the 28th May, 2013 Ministry of … Continue reading →

Posted in Renewables, Residential, Rooftop, Solar Policy, Solar Thermal, Subsidy | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gehrlicher Solar sunk by termination of €85 million bank loan

Posted on July 9, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

German photovoltaic group Gehrlicher Solar AG said on Tuesday that its decision to file for insolvency on Friday was prompted by the termination of an €85 million ($109.5 million) loan by a banking consortium. The company added that its subsidiaries … Continue reading →

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Solar Shakeout Continues: Gehrlicher Solar files insolvency papers

Posted on July 9, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Gehrlicher Solar was the 22nd largest EPC in 2012 according to IHS Research. Gehrlicher Solar has become the latest German firm to file for insolvency according to court papers lodged on Friday seen by PV-Tech. It began proceedings on the same day … Continue reading →

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Gujarat wants cut in solar power tariff for existing Solar Plants

Posted on July 7, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

GUVNL says developers are making unjustified and windfall profits. The state government has approached the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) seeking a reduction in the solar power tariff, citing unwanted and windfall gains to the solar project developers. The Gujarat … Continue reading →

Posted in Renewables | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Gujarat re-negotiating fixed tariffs for already commissioned 670 MW Solar plants under its Solar Policy

Posted on July 7, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

In a not so surprising move, the Gujarat Government after paying out a huge amount in fixed tariff for its 670MW commissioned plants is looking to change tariffs to be in line with the existing norms. It has offered approx. … Continue reading →

Posted in Crystalline, Gujarat, PV, Renewable Purchase Obligation, Renewables, Solar, Thin Film | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

AP Solar Grid Connectivity Application Form with evacuation locations within the state

Posted on July 6, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

As per Andhra Pradesh Solar Policy, 2012, vide G.O. Ms No: 39 Dt: 26.09.2012 & G.O. Ms. No. 44, dated: 16-11-2012 Vide item(9), Grid Connectivity and Evacuation facility, the power generated from a Solar Power Project shall be injected at an … Continue reading →

Posted in Grid Connected, Solar | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Conergy Files for Insolvency as Banks Disagree on Investor

Posted on July 6, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Conergy AG (CGYK), once Germany’s largest solar-energy company, filed for insolvency today after one of 10 lenders rejected a short-term plan for an investor to take over loans held by the company. As payments from a large project are delayed and … Continue reading →

Posted in Commercial, PV, Solar | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

R&D spending analysis of top PV module manufacturers in 2012

Posted on July 5, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

R&D expenditure by major PV module manufacturers has not been immune from the PV industry’s period of profitless prosperity. However, spending in 2012 has not been as affected as many would have expected with a number of companies increasing their … Continue reading →

Posted in Cells & Modules, Crystalline, PV, R&D, Solar | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Guidelines for online submission of Total Bill of Material (BoM) and application for issue of Concessional Customs Duty Certificates (CCDC) and Excise Duty Exemption Certificate (EDEC) for availing Solar duty benefits

Posted on July 5, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

No. 30/20/2011-12/NSM भारत सरकार/ Government of India नवीन और नवीकरणीय ऊर्ाा मत्रालय / Ministry of New & Renewable Energy  Block-14, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi, dated 1st July , 2013  Office Memorandum  Subject:  Guidelines for online submission of Total … Continue reading →

Posted in Crystalline, Inverters, PV, Solar, Thin Film | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Date set for start of India’s solar anti-dumping investigation

Posted on July 5, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

The Indian government has announced a date for a preliminary hearing for its investigation into anti-dumping allegations against PV module manufacturers in China, Taiwan, USA and Malaysia. The investigation was announced last year following a petition by the Solar Manufacturers Association, representing … Continue reading →

Posted in Anti Dumping Duty, Cells & Modules, Crystalline, PV, Renewables, Solar, Solar Policy, Thin Film | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

European Commission reveals August duty rates on Chinese solar companies upto 67.9%

Posted on July 5, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

The European Commission has published in its Official Journal details of duties levied on Chinese manufacturers with Delsolar hit the hardest. Yingli fared best with a duty rate of 37.3% as well as Jinzhou Yangguang Energy 38.3%. Delsolar was handed … Continue reading →

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